Spartak never replaced Sobolev. Will this become a problem?
Dmitry Zimin September 15, 2024, 12:00 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Willian José will have to be revived.
Just a week ago, everything seemed perfect: Spartak sent a huge offer to Krasnodar for the transfer of John Cordoba. Galitsky agreed to release his leader and allowed him to negotiate with the player. He had been planning to leave the club for some time and had a luxury final contract in Russia. In the heads of the red-and-white leaders, everything seemed something like this: they reach an agreement with the Colombian, bring in Nicholson and get 2.5 great strikers for the season: the small but technical Ugalde, the top target Cordoba and Willian Jose, who has not yet decided on his role.
But in the end, the Krasnodar striker asked for a salary higher than that of his current club, and in Moscow they considered it arrogant. And they decided not to destroy the nascent team by inviting a player for x2 of the highest paid player at the moment. Without a trial. Full right of the directors who answer in their position to the shareholders.
It didn’t work out with Cordoba, but many probably hoped that Spartak wouldn’t give up and try to find someone else. The market was open for a whole week. But instead of a striker, the club signed a winger. And it kept Nicholson, whom it was preparing for a new lease or for sale. And then Oleg Malyshev went to the media and admitted that all the insiders were right: the club really wanted a Colombian footballer, but they couldn’t agree on the salary. And apparently there wasn’t enough time to sign an alternative.
JOHN CORDOBA
Photo: Sergey Apenkin, “Championship”
What Stankovic has now:
Manfred Ugalde is the main striker, starting from the second half of the match of the 1st round. In the other six matches of the RPL, he was in the starting lineup. During this time he has scored four goals. Not such a bad statistic. The Costa Rican striker really impressed at the beginning, especially with his cool interaction with Barco. But one way or another a problem appeared: due to Ugalda’s size, it was difficult to act against a low block or powerful defenders. The match against Zenit was indicative in this regard. In the second half, after the expulsion, the St. Petersburgers were left in a rut. And Ugalde looked lost. Yes, there was a moment, but it was more likely after a mistake, and not because of his actions;
Willian Jose. Character not yet revealed. Although he has been in Russia since mid-July. The first match was played against Khimki in the second round. And from that moment on, several appearances as a substitute and two matches as a starter in the Russian Cup. True, he was changed every time. The result is not a single full match and a bad impression. First they talked about being overweight, then about a lack of physical fitness. But in the end it came to nothing. Willian now had two weeks to recover. And at least get into the shape that would allow him to play full matches, or even better, start scoring. In terms of his type, he is not Sobolev, but he definitely has a higher status than Ugalde in martial arts;
Interview with the striker who was not invited by Spartak:
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Shamar Nicholson. Here he is, the same textured striker who was at the Copa America for the first time for a long time. Then I thought he would be sold. Back to August. He came on for five minutes with Rubin to participate in the press and was again sure that he would not stay in Moscow. Last season at Clermont was definitely not outstanding: only four goals in 26 games. The Jamaican national team is not doing well either. Morale is not at any high level. But in the end the agent reports that he is staying because the club needs him.
Shamar Nicholson
Photo: Dmitry Golubovich, “Championship”
With this attacking line, Spartak will exist at least until winter. And compare it to Zenit. There is last season’s top scorer, Cassierra. An interesting debutant, Luciano, who scored a double in his first match. And now Sobolev has arrived too.
Many were probably expecting some kind of super transfer from Spartak at the end of the window. This would confirm their ambition to compete with St. Petersburg for at least one trophy. But in the end, Ugalde, Willian Jose and Nicholson. Not a dream trio at all.
Mega-atmospheric Spartak legends match:
Spartak legends put on a great show! A Welliton like that would help the club now. Video
